UK Security company opens new operating centre

Securitas has opened its new operating centre and training facility in the UK at Milton Keynes

Building is now complete on a state-of-the-art Security Operating Centre (SOC) which will be home to the Securitas Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) - built to BS EN 50518 standards - and the Securitas Training Academy.

The facility, located in Milton Keynes’ prestigious Wavendon Business Park, brings together Securitas’ communications, dispatch and ARC teams in a purpose-built, people-friendly environment which will be the hub of the Securitas solutions strategy.

The new centre will create over 100 local jobs across its technological, human resources and security functions as well as opening up opportunities for other local businesses to partner in areas such as catering and facilities management.

Arthur Agnew, Chief Technical Officer at Securitas said: “This is a really exciting time for the company. Centralising our operational teams into the SOC will provide us with the ability to deal with fast changing scenarios as they happen. Interdepartmental processes will be managed much easier with everyone under the same roof ensuring accuracy and efficiency when dealing with client incidents.

“Whether it’s alarm activation, missed check call or an engineer request, our specially trained operators, supported by a bespoke call handling system, will take appropriate action to despatch an officer or mobile unit, or contact one of our many technology partners to respond to the incident.”

Alongside the ARC on the ground floor will be a remote technology support team and a uniquely designed customer area demonstrating Securitas’ technical solutions and providing visitors with a more hands on, interactive experience.

The Training Academy will house two training rooms for the delivery of courses as well as a number of meeting/breakout rooms capable of accommodating up to 10 people. There will also an auditorium/conference room with the capacity to accommodate up to 100 people and an executive boardroom.

A feature of the first floor is a widening corridor leading to the auditorium. This glass-walled corridor has been overlaid with images of trees and shrubbery, giving the feeling of an airy, outdoor space. The first floor features a number of hot desk rooms which can accommodate up to four people with wall mounted screens, whiteboards and Apple TV to help facilitate meetings and presentations. Outside, there is a small garden for staff to enjoy and car parking spaces for over 100 vehicles.

Securitas Country President, Brian Riis Nielson, said: “We believe it is our people who make the difference and, by bringing together our core support services into a single location and offering a modern open work space, complete with the latest in control room fittings, we will harmonise our processes and remain truly customer focused, with accurate and effective communication being at the heart of everything we do.

“The investment we are making in this SOC is in line with our strategy for growth and demonstrates to our employees, customers and potential customers that we are progressing well on our security solutions journey.”

The centre will be officially opened by Brian Riis Nielsen and Securitas President and CEO, Alf Göransson later this month.